Tears for Jesus
Over seven years ago, my family was having supper when the conversation shifted from talking about the events that day to recalling the moment when both my sons, Ethan and Elliot, asked Jesus to save them. Before long, my youngest child, Eliana, began to cry. Through her sobs, she wailed, “Jesus isn’t in my heart! He’s in theirs hearts, but not in my heart!” Stephanie and I tried to comfort her, assuring her that Jesus loves her and hears the cries of those who seek Him.
That night, Eliana tearfully went to sleep whispering, “I want Jesus in my heart.” Was her desire stirred by the fact that her brothers had something she didn’t? Perhaps. But in the midst of those innocent tears, I glimpsed a heart that simply longed for Jesus. Most gracious Savior, may our hardened hearts return to a childlike longing for You alone. Just as David declared, “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8) So may we cry out with humble desire for the beautiful light of Christ to shine upon us.
How often we strive to run with endurance the race set before us, yet we forget that the foundation of our calling is simply to fix our eyes on Jesus. To truly run with endurance, we must first learn the joy of resting in His presence. Too often, I’ve heard God portrayed only as a Master demanding our labor to earn His favor. Yet the consistent message from the prophets to the Israelites was far simpler: Return to the Lord! No formulas. No dramatic displays. No demands for emotional spectacle. Just return.
Like the prodigal son, we are called to come back and return to the loving arms of our Father. Jesus declared, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He calls us to draw near in fervent love and quiet humility.
I remember the night Eliana wept over salvation. We gently tried to lead her in a prayer, but it wasn’t to be. In time, however, she would pray all on her own, asking Jesus into her heart. Throughout that day, she wore a big smile on her lips and carried a joyful attitude in her actions. Do tears still flow for us? It may not be for salvation, but do they still flow because we simply desire His presence?
